Hawaii Discount

Hawaii Discount and the Best Kauai Activities

2012-01-26T12:08:00.000-08:00

One man’s Hawaii Vacation turned into a multi million dollar business that now does over 8 million dollars a year in sales. John Fradella spent about $5,000 on Hawaii Activities during a Hawaii vacation in 1999. The cost accompanied by the frustration of missing out on several must see Hawaii activities because they were already full as well as wasting vacation time trying to book activities led him to launch HawaiiDiscount.com.

13 years later Hawaii Discount is bigger and better than ever. One of the Hawaii Discount employees, the company’s Social Media Manager, is John’s little sister - me. A few weeks ago the two of us conquered Kauai! Each morning we were up before the roosters and we spent each day meeting with vendors and making sure that Hawaii Discount offers only the best Kauai Activities.

Smith's Tropical Paradise Luau

Over the next few weeks I will be highlighting several of the Kauai Activities we took part in. As a brother/sister duo we had a blast! From the breathtaking views of the Garden Island via Kauai Helicopter Tours to tubing down a sugar cane plantation’s irrigation ditch with Kauai Backcountry Adventures, we experienced Kauai’s beauty with some of the best Kauai Activities.

Just because we sell the Kauai Activities doesn’t mean we are good at them! Check out this sneak peek of our Kauai Kayaking Skills! After watching this you can only imagine what our week together was like! Fun is what it is all about!

Hawaii Discount makes ordering Hawaii Activities quick and easy so while you are in Hawaii you can relax, have fun and soak up the Aloha Spirit.

Be sure to check HawaiiDiscount.blogspot.com frequently to read about our adventures on Kauai!

The Descendants Oscar Nominations - Kauai Movie Tours

2012-01-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to George Clooney, Alexander Payne and The Descendants for their Oscar Nominations for Best Actor, Best Director, Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. In honor of the nominations I have attached some additional photos of one the most beautiful beaches in the world, Hanalei Bay.

The breathtaking beauty of Hanalei Bay was captured in the Oscar Nominated film, The Descendants.

Photo Courtesy of Foxlight Pictures

Photo Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Hanalei Pier was originally built in 1892 to help Hanalei farmers forward their taro crops to market. It was a Kauai film location for the 1957 film, South Pacific.

Hanalei Bay is a popular beach for surfing. I even caught a few waves last time I was there.

Hanalei Bay at Sunset.

The stunning view as the King Family looks over their land. This was filmed at Kauai's Kipu Ranch.

Photo Courtesy Fox Searchlight

Check out this video about Filming in Hawaii and behind the scenes of The Descendants film locations.

Be sure to check out our previous blog post, Kauai Movie Locations - The Descendants.

Hawaii Discount offers a variety of ways to see the beautiful locations from The Descendants. Check out our Kauai Movie Tours and the variety of Kauai Activities with Outfitters Kauai at scenic Kipu Ranch.

Do you think The Descendants will win an Oscar?

Aloha Hawaii Activities- Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2012-01-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

After an exciting week of Hawaii Activities the Traveling Trio's mission was complete. We went to one of the Best Big Island Restaurants, Huggo's on the Rocks, to celebrate our epic adventures.

We made a toast to the beautiful islands, the amazing people we met and the breathtaking sites we had seen.

D'jibia, who was nervous about the Big Island Helicopter Tour, said Sunshine Helicopters ended up being her favorite activity. It gave her a new perspective and made her realize how small we are in this world.

Heather said the Lost Tour on Oahu was one her favorite Hawaii activities. Kualoa Ranch is absolutely beautiful. Our excellent guide made the Hummer ride fun and exciting. We had a blast seeing the actual sites where some of our favorite scenes from Lost were filmed. We had fun recreating some famous Lost scenes such as golfing with Hurley and escaping the smoke monster.

When it was my turn to name the most memorable activity I had a hard time naming just one. All of the Hawaii activities we participated in were excellent! After my first surfing lesson I must admit I was hooked. I love the fact that if you miss the wave or fall there is always another wave waiting to give you another chance.

I chose the Captain Zodiac Big Island Snorkeling Tour as one of the most memorable Big Island Activities. This tour had it all - a day on the water, snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, getting close to the sea caves and seeing marine life such as dolphins and pilot whales.

After enjoying a delicious lunch at Huggo's On The Rocks and reminiscing about our Hawaii Activities we packed up and said Aloha to The Big Island. We had a great time and made memories to last a lifetime. In the early 1900s departing visitors threw their leis in the ocean as they passed Diamond Head hoping that like the lei, they too would some day return to Hawaii. We knew there was still so much for us to see and do together in Hawaii and like the Hawaiian Leis we too would be back.

Click here to see all of the installments of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio Series.

As the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio series comes to a close I am excited to announce my next series: A big brother, little sister duo conquer Kauai. Stay tuned - after reading this series you are going to want to book a trip to Hawaii with your sibling!

Oh Poi! Taro Pies!

2012-01-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

McDonald's didn't make my list of Best Oahu Restaurants or Best Kauai Restaurants but if you want a unique McDonald's treat in Hawaii stop by for a Taro Pie!

The Taro Pie has the same crust and shape as their Apple Pie but the purple filling is sweet and creamy with small cubes of taro in it. The taste of the taro is subtle in the hot, sticky filling.

Poi is a Hawaiian staple made from the corm of the taro plant. The texture of poi is like paste and the flavor is delicate. Poi is very nutritious and is even fed to babies born with milk allergies.

If you don't make it to McDonald's for a Taro Pie be sure to try Poi at a Hawaiian Luau! I recommend eating Poi with lomi lomi salmon on the side. If you are looking for the best Hawaii Luaus check out Hawaii Discount. Hawaii Discount offers low prices on Maui Luaus, Kauai Luaus, Oahu Luaus, and Big Island Luaus.

Have you had a Taro Pie? Did you like it?

Which Island for My Hawaii Vacation?

2012-01-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

One of the best parts of my job is helping others plan their Hawaii Vacation. The number one question we get is "Which island should we go to?" The beauty of Hawaii is the distinct personality of each island. The "best" island to visit depends on what the person is looking for in a Hawaii Vacation. Today we got this question on our Hawaii Discount Facebook page. My answer seemed to long for facebook so I decided to blog about it.

Q: "I'm a 28 year old single mom who is taking my son and a friend of ours to Hawaii (from Alaska) March 9th to 17th. This is our first trip to Hawaii. We love the outdoors and want to hike, snorkel, sit on the beach, ride bikes, cliff jump, and see lava and waterfalls. We are thinking Big Island but up for any suggestions. We need a place to stay and a place to rent a car. We prefer making our own meals and would like to stay at a low cost. Any ideas? Thank you SO much for your help!"

A:
When you mentioned that you wanted to see lava my first instinct is to tell you to visit the Big Island. The Big Island boasts 11 out of the Earth's 13 climate zones and has something for everyone! Where else can you snow ski and snorkel in the same day? Just know there is not a guarantee you will see flowing lava. The volcano has it's own schedule. We were there last Monday and were not able to see any active lava but we did go back during the evening to see the glow from the crater. I have also been on Big Island helicopter tours where we were able to see amazing lava flow that cannot be seen by land. Although you may not see flowing lava the Big Island is such a sight from the moment you drive out of the Kona Airport and see the roads lined with black lava rock. You can also check out some of the scenic black sand beaches - some are less than 20 years old! The Big Island has gorgeous waterfalls and a variety of Big Island activities that you and your son would both enjoy! Some of my favorite snorkeling is the Big Island's Kealakekua Bay, site of Captain Cook's Monument. The Big Island also offers the unique experience of Manta Ray Night Snorkeling which some say is their favorite Hawaii Activity!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island

Kauai may be a great choice as well. This lush, green island is paradise to those that love the outdoors. Other than the lava it has everything you are looking for! We stayed in the Cliffs at Princeville condos last week and loved it! It had a great kitchen that would make cooking at home easy and affordable. On Kauai you could snorkel, sit on the beach (Hanalei Bay is my favorite beach), you can rent bikes to use on the island or even Bike down Waimea Canyon. Kauai also has many beautiful waterfalls. We went on a kayak tour to Secret Falls and everyone had a blast from the 8 year old boy to the grandmother! Kauai has great hiking so if you like to hit the trail this may be the island for you!

Secret Falls on Kauai

Oahu has several affordable condos where you will be able to cook from home. Oahu offers a variety of Hawaii Activities! You can hang out on world famous Waikiki Beach and your son can learn to surf or enjoy boogie boarding! Hiking Diamond Head is always fun and the view at the top is a great reward. Just be sure to check out the rest of the island and not just Waikiki. Be sure to visit Pearl Harbor. The North Shore famous for surfing has beautiful beaches. Some of the best snorkeling in the world is at Hanauma Bay. I highly recommend the Grand Eco Island Waterfall Walk to see the real Hawaii.

View from the top of Diamond Head

Maui offers the best of both worlds - not as laid back as Kauai but not as busy as Oahu. Maui boasts some of the world's most beautiful beaches. If you are looking for the ultimate biking adventure you should check out Biking down Haleakala, the world's largest dormant volcano. If you go to Maui don't miss the Road to Hana. The Road to Hana is a scenic drive with breathtaking vistas and gorgeous waterfalls. Maui also has great snorkeling! One of my favorite Maui Snorkel locations is Molokini, a partially submerged volcanic crater.

Haleakala Sunrise

Car rentals are available on all islands. If you are staying in Waikiki you may not need the car for the entire week because beaches and activities are nearby. Many Oahu activities include free transportation plus depending where you stay parking may be expensive. I recommend a car for the other islands so you can explore the beauty of the islands on your own. Check out our discounts on Oahu Car Rentals, Maui Car Rentals, Big Island Car Rentals, and Kauai Car Rentals.

Which Island would you suggest?

Kauai Movie Locations - The Descendants

2012-01-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

Hanalei Bay as seen from Kauai Helicopter Tours

A few years ago I was an extra in the movie Leatherheads which was directed by and starred George Clooney. He was extremely nice to the extras and just as charming on set as he is on the big screen. When I heard George Clooney was filming a movie in Hawaii I couldn't wait to see the film that included my favorite actor and my favorite state! Many of the scenes in The Descendants were filmed in and around Hanalei Bay on Kauai's North Shore.

Hanalei Bay is a stunning beach that has striking mountains as its backdrop. This beautiful Kauai beach was used for several scenes in the George Clooney film, The Descendants.

Two cottages on this beach were used in filming. They can be rented from Hanalei Land Company for about $5,000 a week.

The Kauikeolani Estate in Hanalei belongs to the family of Kaui Hart Hemming, the author of The Descendants. It served as base camp during filming and can be rented for $15,000 a week.

The cast and crew of the Descendants stayed at the St. Regis Princeville. Several scenes were filmed at this newly renovated, elegant hotel.

The Tahiti Nui played itself in the movie. This restaurant and lounge is a great spot to stop to have a drink, food (the pizza is delicious) and relax as you enjoy the live music.

Kipu Ranch, a 3,000 acre private cattle ranch that extends from the Huleia River to the top of Mt. Haupu, was used for the memorable scene in The Descendants where the King family looks over their gorgeous land. Hawaii Discount offers a variety of Kauai Activities on Kipu Ranch. Check out Kauai ATV tours with Kipu Ranch Adventures. Outfitters Kauai offers an exhilarating Kauai Zipline Safari Tour where you will kayak, zipline, swim, hike, hayride across Kipu Ranch and end the adventure with a unique motorized canoe ride back to the starting point. If you just want to zipline check out the Nui Loa Outfitters Kauai Zipline Trek that will have you soaring over the beauty of Kipu Ranch.

Kipu Ranch as seen in The Descendants. (Photo from Fodors)

If you want to experience the beauty of the blockbuster film The Descendants be sure to explore the North Shore of Kauai!

Have you seen The Descendants? What did you think of the movie?

Waipio Valley Horseback Riding

2012-01-05T05:48:00.000-08:00

We recently had the opportunity to go on the Waipio Valley Horseback Ride on our most recent trip to the Big Island. Na’alapa Stables took us on a rustic ride through the natural splendor of one of the most beautiful valleys in Hawaii. We thought the activity might be cancelled because of early morning rains, but that only served to decorate the entire valley with gushing waterfalls.

At Na'alapa Stables, we met our guides and our horses and were on the way. As we trotted down the roads, wild coffee beans presented themselves as a sweet treat to anyone able to grab one as their horse passed under. Speaking of horses, mine was an eager steed named Waka. He didn’t like to go slow. Instead, he wanted to lead the pack. He definitely didn’t like to stand still. He would shake his head from side to side defiantly, as if to say “No, I don’t want to stand here, let’s get going!” There was one other horse that he didn’t really get along with well but I don’t remember his name. Our guide warned us not to let them get too close because they kick each other! Horses are a lot like people.

At the halfway point, our group was presented with the option of crossing a stream, full with rainwater from the waterfalls all over the valley. The water wasn’t too deep, but our shoes might get wet. About half of us wanted to go, and half wanted to stay but the horses wanted to go, so guess what we did? We went. I could almost sense Waka’s excitement as he plunged headlong into the stream, which never was really that deep in the first place. Check it out in the video below!

Out of the stream we headed back to the stables, once again passing a splendid view of green Waipio Valley, dappled with color from flowers and birds, the air filled with the sounds of the rushing waterfalls and a steady trot of the horses. What a way to see this marvelous place!

Reserve the Waipio Valley Horseback Ride with Hawaii Discount. Not only will you enjoy splendid views of Waipio Valley but the experienced guides take you through a lush tropical paradise of fresh water streams, jungle trails, tar fields, breathtaking waterfalls and scenic vistas.

Where do you like to go Horseback Riding in Hawaii?

Hawaii Car Rentals - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2012-01-03T10:19:00.000-08:00

Waikiki is beautiful but to get the full experience of Oahu you need to check out the rest of the island. One of the best ways to do this is with Oahu Car Rentals. We didn't need a car for our entire stay on Oahu so we just picked it up in Waikiki. The location was very convenient. We could have walked to the pickup location from our hotel but the shuttle was on time and efficient. We reserved a midsize car but when we got there we decided our day called for a convertible! We had a blast exploring Hawaii on our own and finding beautiful beaches and scenic views.

On the Big Island with a busy itinerary and our Hawaii activities spread apart, a Big Island Car Rental was a necessity! We picked up this Hawaii Car Rental at the Kona airport. The process to pick up our rental car was quick and easy! We were given a Jeep. It was a great car and we had fun cruising across the Big Island in it!

Hawaii Discount offers Oahu Car Rentals, Kauai Car Rentals, Big Island Car Rentals and Maui Car Rentals. This is a great way to see the Hawaiian islands!

What locations have you discovered off the beaten path?

Aloha 2012 - New Year's Resolutions

2011-12-28T19:21:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season for New Year's Resolutions. I normally do not make New Year's Resolutions but I actually have one this year. It revolves around getting in shape but it is more than losing several pounds or going to the gym a certain number of times per week. (In fact I try to steer clear of our YMCA but that is an entirely different blog post.) This year my New Year's Resolution is to complete a triathlon. I completed a short women's triathlon last July but this year I hope to complete a longer one. I was inspired as I watched Chrissie Wellington cross the finish line at the Kona Ironman in October.

A triathlon is a race where you swim, bike and then run. I have the running part down but it is the other 2/3 of the race I need to work on. Although I spend hours at the beach and pool I rarely swim laps so the swim is a new frontier for me. The bike will be a challenge because I am a casual biker. I'm a mom with a baby on the back of my bike and my two other kids biking next to me. In fact I actually rode my mom bike in my last triathlon. If I am going to get serious about a race this year I will have to learn how to ride a road bike so that should be an experience in itself!

When the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio was in Kona we stopped at the Coconut Grove Marketplace to do a little shopping. While we were there we found the Big Island Running Company. This turned out to be one of our favorite shops! They had a variety of shoes, apparel and accessories. We loved the merchandise with the words "Run Big" over a picture of the Big Island. They also had similar "Tri Big" merchandise. This is a great local store and you can keep up with races in Hawaii on their Big Island Running Company Blog.

Heather training in her Run Big shirt from Big Island Running Company in Kona

Hawaii Discount has several Hawaii Activities that can help with my training. From Hiking (Kauai, Maui or the Big Island), Hawaii Kayaking, Stand Up Paddling (Kauai, Maui or Oahu), Hiking Diamond Head, Maui Bike Tours, Big Island Biking, Kauai Bike Tours and Hawaii Surfing there are many Hawaii Activities that make exercise fun!

What are your resolutions this year?

Surfing in Kona - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-12-26T12:50:00.000-08:00

On our last day in Kona the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio couldn't resist hitting the waves again. We enjoyed our Hawaii Surf Lessons on Oahu so much that we wanted to try surfing in Hawaii one more time!

We went to Honolohau Harbor to the Ocean Eco Tours shop for check in. It was located a few doors down from the check in for our Captain Zodiac tour. Bridgette greeted us and from the moment we met her we knew this was going to be a fun surf lesson! Ocean Eco Tours specializes in beginners so we knew we were at the right place for us!

We had a surf lesson behind the shop to go over the fundamentals of paddling and standing up on the surfboard.

They packed up our surfboards and we headed to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. Ocean Eco Adventures has partnered with the Park Service and was awarded the first surf permit to work within this National Park. When there is no surf at Kahaluu, Ocean Eco Adventures always has the option to surf Honokohau National Park.

We had to carry our surfboards down a path to the ocean. It was such a sight to be walking on lava rock.

The crystal clear ocean as a backdrop for the black lava rock was breathtaking!

The pressure was on! This was our last chance to conquer the waves! We were ready!

The waves were bigger than the ones we surfed on Oahu. Bridgette coached us and helped us catch the right waves at the right times.

We learned how the waves came in sets so we waited patiently for the next set.

SaiFon from Yoga Hale in Kona was also surfing with us and she taught me how to flip the board over and go under the big waves. She also helped me choose the best waves to surf.

D'jibia catching another wave! Watch out Kelly Slater!

We had a great morning surfing with Ocean Eco Tours of Kona Hawaii! It was like going out with your best friends to surf. They were so much fun and we learned a lot. Surfing in Kona was a different experience than surfing in Waikiki. Heather said it was "definitely worth it to surf on both Oahu and the Big Island. Totally different experiences and both were awesome!" The waves were bigger in Kona that day which made surfing a bit easier. Of course it was our second lesson so while we still had our fair share of wipeouts we were able to get up and surf more waves. Bridgette was a patient and determined surf instructor who made sure everyone got up and surfed.

I highly recommend surfing in Kona with Ocean Eco Tours. Ocean Eco Tours has been Kona's #1 Surfing School since 1996!

Where do you like to surf on the Big Island?

100% Kona Coffee - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-12-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

Enjoying 100% Kona Coffee at the Kona Coffee & Tea Company

Kona coffee is grown on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The weather combined with porous, mineral rich volcanic soil, and high altitude creates ideal coffee growing conditions. Kona coffee beans are hand picked. Each bean is inspected as it is picked. This meticulous process insures that only cherries at peak maturity are harvested.

Kona coffee blooms in February and March as small white flowers cover the tree. Green berries appear in April. By late August, red fruit, called "cherry" begin to ripen for picking. Each tree will be picked several times between August and January since the cherries do not ripen at the same time. Each tree provides around 15 pounds of cherry, which results in about 2 pounds of roasted coffee.

Kona Coffee in the different stages
http://www.konacoffeeandtea.com/

Today Kona coffee is regarded as one of the finest gourmet coffees in the world. The Kona Coffee Belt is about 20 miles long and 2 miles wide. There are over 600 coffee farms in Kona. Most are small (usually 3-7 acres) and family owned.

One of the missions of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio while in Kona was to enjoy 100% Kona coffee. We were at a meeting at Hawaii Forest and Trail and noticed Kona Coffee & Tea Company located in the nearby shopping center. We headed over there and enjoyed some samples. Kona coffee has a soft yet full-bodied taste. The employees were very helpful and we bought several different types of 100% Kona Coffee to take home. They even shipped some directly for us! Be sure to check out their website! You can even buy from Kona Coffee & Tea Company online!

Photo from http://www.konacoffeeandtea.com

Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio Travel Trip: When purchasing Kona Coffee be sure it is labeled 100% Kona Coffee. Many stores sell coffee labeled 10% Kona Coffee – be sure to avoid those blends.

On our last day in Kona we knew we needed to take advantage of the delicious Kona Coffee one more time so we stopped by Kona De Pele Café in Kona's Coconut Grove Marketplace. This was one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had!

Kona De Pele Cafe

Cheers to Kona!

If you are going to be in Kona you must try 100% Kona Coffee! You may never look at your Starbucks the same again!

If you are not a coffee drinker but still want to take home a taste of Hawaii be sure to check out Hawaii Pineapples delivered to your hotel - a quick and easy way to get airport ready pineapples from Hawaii Discount. They can also ship directly to your home! These pineapples are grown on the North Shore of Oahu and are a great way to enjoy Hawaii when you are back home!

What is your favorite treat to bring home from Hawaii?

Island Breeze Luau - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-12-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

After so many Hawaii Activities the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio decided to relax at one of the best Big Island Luaus, Island Breeze Luau at the King Kamehameha Hotel. We were greeted with a shell lei and the fun began immediately!

We walked around the grounds and enjoyed the entertainment and activities.

Of course we all needed Tribal Tattoos. D'jibia is getting a sea turtle. Heather got a Hawaiian Flower.

In honor of our awesome Manta Ray Night Snorkeling I got a Manta Ray!

There were many activities and crafts to participate in.

We enjoyed the open bar! The friendly bartender offered a variety of beer, wine, soft drinks and festive cocktails such as mai tais!

After we enjoyed the Hawaii Activities it was time for the Imu Ceremony. The underground oven reaches 850-900 degrees fahrenheit! Not only do they cook the pig in the underground oven but also taro, sweet potatoes, bananas and haupia.

We grabbed some drinks from the open bar and found our seats. The night began with some hilarious entertainment!

Next we were treated to the Royal Court Procession.

We enjoyed the authentic Polynesian dances.

Then it was time for the delicious Luau Buffet! The meal included Hawaii favorites such as Lomi Salmon, Kona-Style poke, Cinnamon-Spiced Bananas (a favorite at our table), Poi Uala, Kalua Pua'a, Lau Lau and much more! For dessert we enjoyed Coconut Cake, Haupia and Kona Coffee. The food was absolutely delicious and I was not afraid to go back for seconds!

After dinner we enjoyed an unbelievable show! The dancers were amazing! We were all on the edge of our seats as we watched the fascinating Samoan Fireknife dance! Island Breeze has performed in front of many dignitaries and leaders of the world. The Island Breeze production shares the beauty of the cultural heritage of the Pacific while presenting the expressions of each group in Polynesia and preserving the heritage of the cultural arts.

Hawaii Discount offers an incredible low price on the Island Breeze Luau in Kona! Island Breeze also offers a preferred seating option with seating at the front of the stage, first in the buffet line and front for all pre luau activities.

To catch up on all of the adventures of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio click here!

Have you been to the Island Breeze Luau? What was your favorite part?

Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

2011-12-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau is a one day big wave surfing event. It only runs if the waves at Waimea Bay, Oahu reach a minimum height of 20 feet. This year the official holding period is December 1, 2011 – February 29, 2012.

Eddie Aikau was born on Maui and first learned to surf at Kahului Harbor. He moved with his family to Honolulu in 1959. Eddie and his younger brother Clyde began surfing in Waikiki with boards they made from marine ply. When he was 16 he left school and began working at the Dole pineapple cannery. He made enough money at Dole to buy his first surfboard.

In 1968 he become the first lifeguard to work on the North Shore. He covered all of the beaches between Sunset and Haleiwa and saved hundreds of lives. In 1971 he was assigned to Waimea Bay. No lives were lost while he was on duty and he braved waves that often reached 30 feet high. He was named Lifeguard of the Year in 1971. He became famous for surfing the big Hawaiian surf and was known for surfing for 8 hours at a time without a break. He won several awards including the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship.

Eddie Aikau taken by Dan Merkel

In 1978, the Polynesian Voyaging Society was seeking volunteers for a 30 day, 2,500-mile journey to retrace the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between Hawaii and the Tahitian islands. Aikau eagerly joined the voyage as a crew member. The Hokule’a left Hawaii on March 16, 1978. The double-hulled voyaging canoe developed a leak in the starboard hull and later capsized about twelve miles south of the island of Molokai. Aikau insisted on getting help. He made a leash of nylon rope for his big rescue board and paddled toward Lanai saying "Don't worry, I can do it. I can get to land." A commercial airplane spotted the Hokule'a and the crew was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard but Aikau was never seen again.

In the winter of 1984/85, the first Eddie Aikau Memorial was held at Sunset Beach and won by Denton Miyamura. The next winter it was relocated to Waimea Bay and won by Eddie’s younger brother Clyde Aikau. The Eddie Aikau Memorial invites only 28 big wave riders to participate in two rounds of competition. Open ocean swells in Waimea Bay must be forecast to reach a minimum of 20 feet consistently during a single day during the competition window. Because of this requirement, The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau has only been held eight times during the history of the event, most recently on December 8, 2009.

When the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau is called on the participants have a 12 hour window to arrive at Waimea Bay to check in the morning of the competition. The tournament consists of two rounds of about three or four waves each during the competition day. The best four scoring waves over two rounds will make up the participant’s total score.

Although the tournament has only been held 8 times, the official Opening Ceremony takes place every year. Each year on December 1 surfing’s greatest gather at Waimea Bay. The 28 Invitees, 24 Alternates, surf legends, and the family of Eddie Aikau gather to pay sincere respects to Eddie.

Opening Ceremony - Photo from http://quiksilverlive.com/eddieaikau/2012

Many are familiar with the phrase "Eddie Would Go." According to historian Mac Simpson, "Aikau was a legend on the North Shore, pulling people out of waves that no one else would dare to. That's where the saying came from -- Eddie would go, when no else would or could. Only Eddie dared." During the first Eddie contest the waves were huge and the conditions were dangerous. The contest organizers were discussing whether to put it on, Mark Foo looked at the conditions and said "Eddie would go." The phrase stuck and the Eddie went.

Hawaiian priest Billy Mitchell was moving at this year’s opening ceremony, “There will be waves but those of you here today know that this is about much more than that. Eddie had a passion. He had a passion about living and loving the ocean. Whether you surf or you don't surf, you are drawn to people like Eddie in life. People with big mana. We have to remember, and we cannot forget, someone who lived this way. Eddie never left people behind. It was his way. We need that in this life, especially now. It's a way to surf; it's a way to live. This event is Eddie's story, and it is a ripple in the ocean to travel around the world."

It is a tough invitation to get invited to participate in the Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau but Hawaii Discount makes it easy to learn to surf in Hawaii! Check out our low prices on Hawaii Surf Lessons! I learned to surf in Waikiki with Hans Hedemann Surf School. To read all about my lesson click here.

Big Island Ziplines - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-12-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

Another great way to experience the beauty of the Big Island is via Big Island Zipline Tours. Hawaii Discount offers a variety of exhilarating Hawaii Zipline Tours that take you over treetops and spectacular sights. The Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio decided Big Island Ziplines would be a great way to experience the island. Heather and D'jibia were not the least bit scared but I have a small fear of heights. I decided there was no better way to conquer that fear than a 2,400 ft zipline high above streams and waterfalls.

When we arrived at the zip course our Big Island Zipline guides went over safety information and helped us get suited up in our harness and safety gear.

After everyone put on their safety gear and had it double checked we hit the course! Heather and I climbed to the top of the first zipline. The first zipline is usually the lowest and shortest to get everyone comfortable with zipping!

We are ready to zip!

By the second zipline Heather and D'jibia were ready to do some tricks.

Line 3 and I am still a little nervous but having a blast! Stepping off of the platform was the hardest part for me.

D'jibia and I zipping side by side.

Beautiful waterfalls on the Big Island Zipline Course.

Halfway through the zipline course we took a short break for lunch. The longest lines were coming up and we were excited!

D'jibia heading to the next zipline.

We saw numerous waterfalls.

Our helmets were outfitted with fun helmet cams to capture the thrills! Check out the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio in action in this Big Island Zipline Video!

D'jibia got extra style points for her zipping.

I never quite figured out how to flip upside down but had fun trying!

We had a great group to zip with! We enjoyed our exciting afternoon on Big Island Ziplines.

Hawaii Discount offers a variety of Big Island Zipline Tours. They are located on various parts of the island. Check out Big Island Eco Adventures, Kohala Zipline, Pa'ani Ranch Aloha Zipline Express, KapohoKine Adventures Zipline Through Paradise and Zip Isle Zipline Canopy Adventure.

Zip over tree tops, waterfalls, beautiful pools and flowering trees. See the rainforest from a different point of view!

The Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio had a blast on Big Island Ziplines. It did take a bit longer than we had planned but the views were worth it. If you want a truly exhilarating experience take the leap and reserve Big Island Zipline Tours!

To catch up on all of the adventures of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio click here.

Pearl Harbor Day - Oahu, Hawaii

2011-12-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

(AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Yesterday marked the 70^th anniversary of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On that day 2,390 Americans were killed. About half of them died when a 1,700-pound armor-piercing bomb flew into the Arizona’s ammunition magazine. The following day, December 8, the U.S. declared war on Japan after President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the attack “a date which will live in infamy”.

AFP Getty Images - The USS Arizona after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor

Twelve ships sank or were beached during the Pearl Harbor attack. Ten of those ships have since been taken out of the harbor and their metal hulls salvaged for scrap. Only the USS Utah and the USS Arizona remain at Pearl Harbor.

This year for the 70^th anniversary of the attack about 120 survivors returned to Pearl Harbor’s sunken USS Arizona and Arizona Memorial to a hero’s reception. About 5,000 spectators were on hand to applaud and recognize the survivors.

Pearl Harbor survivors Walk of Honor - Pearl Harbor memorial ceremony
(AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

President Barack Obama proclaimed Wednesday as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day." He said "Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valor fortified all who served during World War II. As a nation, we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our freedoms.”

Wreaths line edges of The USS Arizona Memorial on Dec. 7, 2011 - Pearl Harbor (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

The Pearl Harbor Survivors group will disband at the end of December “because age and infirmity made it too difficult to carry on”. The aging group of survivors has 2,700 members. There are about 7,000 to 8,000 Pearl Harbor survivors.

Hawaii Discount offers Pearl Harbor Tours for those interested in going to the USS Arizona Memorial to pay respects to the hundreds of American servicemen who lost their lives in the battleship below.

Thank you to all of those who have served and are serving our country!

Big Island Helicopter Tours - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-12-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

The Big Island has 11 of the 13 climate zones present on Earth. With less than a week on the Big Island, the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio knew the best way to see the sights of the largest Hawaiian Island was with Big Island Helicopter Tours. We couldn't wait to see the many wonders of the Big Island on the Sunshine Helicopters Volcano Deluxe Tour.

We arrived at the helipad at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. We checked in and had a short safety briefing. We were each given safety gear to wear during the flight. We were also given headsets to wear during the flight so our pilot could communicate with us. When he wasn't talking we listened to the soothing sounds of Iz Kamakawiwo.

We flew in the state of the art WhisperSTAR, the ultimate sightseeing helicopter!

Before we knew it we were soaring high over the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii!

En route to Kileaua volcano we passed numerous Big Island Waterfalls.

The bird's eye view of the ocean was stunning!

The flight was nearly 2 hours so we had plenty of time to take in the spectacular sights.

As we approached Kilauea we could see the smoking cauldron of Pu'u O'o Vent. It was surreal!

Check out this video with highlights from our Sunshine Helicopter Tours Big Island Volcano Deluxe Tour!

When we got closer we could actually see the bright orange lava flowing! We chose a great day for this flight because the lava flow was spectacular! The intensity of the volcanic landscape was amazing! We circled several times to get great views of the action! Be sure to check out the video above for action shots of the lava.

After we left the volcano we headed north of Hilo. We passed many gulches with cascading waterfalls.

Waimanu Valley had unbelievable waterfalls! We flew throughout Waimanu Valley to experience these wonders of nature!

We flew along the coastline and headed back to the helipad.

The Sunshine Helicopters Volcano Deluxe Tour left us with memories for a lifetime. From the roaring waterfalls of the Kohala Mountains, to the beautiful rainforest above the Hamakua Coast and the flowing lava of Kilauea Volcano's Pu'u O'o Vent the sights were spectacular. We thought a 1 hour 45 minute flight may be to long but we all agreed we could have flown around the Big Island all day!

Sunshine Helicopters was a great company to fly with! From the moment we checked in they made us feel welcome. Our pilot, Grant, was fun, friendly and knowledgable. You could tell he loves his job and it was fun to see him just as excited as we were to view the lava flow.

If you want the best view of the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii Helicopter Tours are the way to go!

To check out all of the installments of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio click here.

Have you been on a Hawaii Helicopter Tour? How was your experience?

Best Hawaii Activities from our Hawaii Discount Facebook Fans

2011-12-01T05:26:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we had a question on our Hawaii Discount Facebook Page from Amanda. She is traveling to Oahu, The Big Island and Maui for three weeks over Christmas/New Years for her Wedding and Honeymoon and wanted suggestions on the top things to do on each island. Our awesome facebook fans had great suggestions! I condensed them and added links to the suggested Hawaii Activities.

Melanie M. - Oahu - Polynesian Cultural Center, Dole Plantation, Hike Diamond Head, Germaine's Luau. Maui - Parasailing, Haleakala sunrise tour, Old Lahaina Luau, Road to Hana.

View from the Top of Diamond Head

Andrea G. - Drive the road to Hana on Maui. It's beautiful! Just be careful of all the other cars on the road while you look at the sights. Stop in Lahaina for some shopping. Black Sand Beach in Punalu'u on the Big Island. Might get a glimpse of the beautiful sea turtles. On Oahu Paradise Cove for the luau.

Melanie M. - Stop at all the ABC Stores on each of those islands for one of the best Hawaiian souvenir stores!

Harold L. - Oahu - Experience International Market Place and food. Go to Rainbow Drive In for real Hawaiian food were the locals eat. Be sure to drive to North Shore and stop at Matsumotos for shaved ice. Eat at shrimp carts along the way. Nice quiet beaches to hang! Mahalo

Matsumoto's Shave Ice

Melanie M. - Oahu-Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, of course, how could I forget about that? Punch Bowl, as well.

Duyen F. - Mama's Fish House in Maui, the road to Hana, Kauai ATV tour, Hilo Farmer's Market

Alan B. - Oahu, Maui and the Big Island all have Atlantis submarines - electric subs that go down 120-130 feet and are a great way to see sea life. I have been on the subs at Waikiki and Lahaina and I am going on the one at Kona on December 5. Aloha.

Matt S. - Oahu- Paradise Cove Luau-definitely the top of the line tickets with no wait in buffet line and front row seats, SkyDive Hawaii up on the North Shore, Maui Babe lotions from the ABC store for good tanning and after sun lotions, Dole Plantation, take the road up past Ko'Olina to the power plant- just before the power plant is a really good place to snorkel away from the crowds at Hanauma Bay if you don't mind being by yourself in the deep water (no lifeguard), I would also highly recommend buying an Entertainment Book it will save you HUNDREDS of $$$, the catamaran sunset sail at the Sheraton Waikiki (free drinks). Too many others to list.

Deeka E. - Star of Honolulu - the best sunset diner cruise in Hawaii! Book one of the New Year's Eve fireworks cruises! We sell out every year. Its a great time and a great way to celebrate a honeymoon and a new year! And don't forget the whale watching on Star and Dolphin Watch and Snorkeling on Hoku Nai'a.

Star of Honolulu

Mirian W. - The Road to Hana is lovely but we found driving around the north end of Maui a significantly better experience. No tourists around and the locals were so warm and welcoming! Just drive to Kaanapali from Kihei and then keep going!! The road is narrow and hugs the mountainside so you can't be in a hurry. And make sure you stop at the old schoolbus for some fries and one of their pina colada smoothies - yummy! As for Oahu, the Pali Lookout is a must-see on your way to Lanikai Beach.

Dianne J. - Oahu - Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, North Shore. Maui - Old Lahaina Luau, Road to Hana, Whale Watching, Haleakala (with or without bikeride down), Nakalele Blowhole.

Melanie M. - love Ka'anapali and Kihei.

Patricia M. - I love maui babe purchased that i my way home as well, had friends pick me up some more, the booze cruise is great and so is the dinner cruise.

Michele W. - Take your new hubby up to Mt. Haleakala for the morning sunrise. The hotel can help with how to get there and when to leave. Nothing is more beautiful with someone you love! Then have breakfast at the Kula Lodge Restaurant.

Haleakala Sunrise

Jeff L. - Waimea falls

Maryjo B. - Whatever you do, on Oahu/Honolulu, find a map and go up to Round Top Drive to the state park. You will be on the top of the world up there and see all of the island. Awesome!!!! Rarely on any tourist information. ALSO, find the Stairway to Heaven. A stairway built in world war II and still there. We were told about this from a serviceman on our plane trip to Oahu. So thankful for his information. Google it: Stairway to heaven/Oahu-- and you will get all the information.

Lynn K. - Maui Downhill First Light Summit Van and Bike Tour is awesome! The only way to see this area.

Joanna H. - Just have fun and don't worry about seeing everything on your honeymoon or you won't have time to just relax!!

Amanda W. - Paradise Cove Luau (if possible when there is a full moon) on Oahu, Volcano tour from Oahu to The Big Island and just relax on Maui!

Melanie M. - Sunset Beach on Oahu. Fleming Beach-Maui.

Teresa R. – The helicopter tour to the tropical rain forest in Maui is Awesome!

Helicopter Tours

Teresa R. - If you stay in Maui the Ritz Carlton is the bomb and if you stay in Oahu stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village or the Hyatt and get a massage at the Na Ho ola Spa with coconut lemongrass lotion.

Christina H. - One of my favorite places on Maui is Dragons Teeth, It's just surreal

Lisa G. - Bike down Haleakala!

rite plaEveryone has a different view of the the perfect Hawaii Vacation so feel free to call Hawaii Discount at 866-482-9775 and we will help you choose the Hawaii Activities that are right for you!

Be sure to check out our Hawaii Discount Facebook Page for great photos and great discussions about Hawaii!

What Hawaii Activities would you add to the list?

Captain Zodiac Big Island Snorkeling - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-11-27T18:12:00.000-08:00

Next on the agenda for the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio was the Captain Zodiac Raft and Snorkel Adventure! This tour covered 14 miles from the Honokohau Harbor to Kealakekua Bay. The 24' Zodiac boat was fast and fun! We were able to get up close to marine life - we saw a pilot whale and spinner dolphins. We were also able to get close to the sea caves and lava tubes.

We checked in at the Captain Zodiac office located at Honokohau Harbor just south of the Kona airport.

When everyone got on board the Zodiac Raft we were given a safety briefing by our awesome, friendly and informative Captain Zodiac guide, Mitch.

We made our way out of the Honokohau Harbor and began our Big Island Snorkel Adventure!

We held on tight as we zoomed down the Kona coast! Mitch kept his eye out for marine life.

A few minutes into our adventure we had a close encounter with a Pilot Whale! The Zodiac Rafts are at water level so you are right there with marine life not 15 feet above them. Seeing the Pilot Whale was so amazing it made me want to go back on a Captain Zodiac Whale Watch tour during humpback whale watch season.

We made it to Kealakekua Bay! Kealakekua Bay is one of the finest snorkel preserves in Hawaii and the site of the Captain Cook Monument.

Captain Zodiac provided a quick snorkel lesson and snorkel equipment for everyone before we all jumped into the clear water.

Check out this video of some of the highlights of the Captain Zodiac Raft and Snorkel Adventure.

Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay was unbelievable! Many beautiful fish and unique sea life!

When we climbed back on the boat after snorkeling we were able to shower off with fresh water. We enjoyed a beautiful spread of fresh pineapple and delicious snacks.

On our way back we stopped to take in the sights. The Zodiac Rafts were perfect because they are able to get up close to the sea caves, wave powered blow holes, lava tubes, and sea grottos.

Not only were the sights breathtaking but our Captain Zodiac guide, Mitch, was a wealth information and provided interesting facts about the folklore of Hawaii, history of the Hawaiian Islands and the geology of the lava flows.

The Captain Zodiac Raft and Snorkel tour had it all! We enjoyed the excitement of zipping through the ocean in the Zodiac Raft, getting up close to pilot whales and dolphins, memorable snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay and the amazing lava formations the raft was able to get close to. If you are looking for the most exciting snorkel tour Captain Zodiac is the one for you! The friendly informative guides truly love their jobs and have so much fun and knowledge to share with their passengers. Our 4 hour Captain Zodiac tour was one of the highlights of our week thanks to the friendly staff at Captain Zodiac.

Hawaii Discount offers a variety of Kona Snorkeling Tours so don't miss out on this Big Island experience!

Have you snorkeled in Kona?

Happy Hawaii Holidays!

2011-11-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Aloha Black Friday! We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. All of us at Hawaii Discount have so much to be thankful for this year! Yesterday the President of Hawaii Discount, John Fradella, and the Web Strategist (me) spent the holiday volunteering at a shelter that served over 5,000 Thanksgiving meals to those less fortunate.

Serving turkey for meals to be delivered to those that are homebound.

Serving dessert!

Visiting with the lunch guests.

As 2011 comes to a close Hawaii Discount wants to say thank you to all of our clients, vendors and Facebook fans! We truly love what we do! There is no place in the world like Hawaii and we are so happy to be able to help others discover and enjoy Hawaiian paradise. We will not be offering any Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals but that is because we offer the low price guarantee on Hawaii Activities 365 days a year!

Hawaii Activities make the perfect gift! If you will be spending the holidays in Hawaii Hawaii Discount offers a variety of special Christmas and New Years Eve Hawaii Activities. Be sure to check out HawaiiDiscount.com for quick and easy online holiday shopping!

Happy Hawaii Holidays!

Hawaii Discount Gives Back

2011-11-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga had a fundraiser for college students with Autism. Hawaii Discount donated Hawaii Activities for the Hawaiian Getaway Basket. The main sponsors for this basket were Kona Coast Resort & Hawaii Discount.

Included in the Basket:

· One week stay in a two Bedroom Condo in Kona, Hawaii

· Two Standard Airport Lei Greetings

· Admission for two to Island Breeze Luau

· Admission for two for a Body Glove Cruise

· Admission for two for Big Island Eco-Tour Zip Line

· Admission for two for Night Time Manta Ray Cruise

· Malibu Tanning Sessions

· Jeep suitcase

· Beach towels

The Hawaiian Getaway Basket raised $1,700 for college students with Autism! We are especially thankful this time of year and are happy Hawaii Discount can give back!

Manta Ray Night Snorkel - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-11-16T08:34:00.000-08:00

The next stop for the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio was Manta Ray Night Snorkeling with Sea Paradise in Kona. I was a bit intimidated to get in the water with these large creatures. The average Manta Ray wing span is 5-8 feet but can reach over 14 feet! I was told not to worry because Manta Rays are very friendly. They do not have real teeth or a stinger and their only defense is to flee. These gentle Rays feed on microscopic plankton. Manta Rays are found in most oceans but their regular sightings to feed in Kona at night is a unique experience that we had to see for ourselves!

We checked in at the Sea Paradise office at the Keauhou Shopping Center and got fitted for our wetsuits. Next we drove to Keauhou Bay and climbed onboard the Hokuhele. We got to know some other passengers as we waited for everyone to arrive. The catamaran took us to "Manta Village" near the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort. This is the same location where the Manta Ray Night Dive began over 25 years ago. The Sea Paradise crew was very friendly and provided interesting information about Manta Rays as we made our way to the Kona snorkeling location.

We got into the water and held onto a rail that kept our group together. Each person had 2 noodles that kept them floating on top of the water. The divers placed lights underwater to attract the plankton.

We put on our mask and snorkel and waited for the Manta Rays to appear.

We had to wait for several minutes but our patience paid off. The Manta Rays came within inches of us!
It was unbelievable to come so close to such large and amazing creatures!

Manta Rays can eat up to 310 pounds of plankton daily. They achieve this by performing backflips with their mouths gaping. These looping creatures are a sight to see! Be sure to check out this video of the majestic Manta Rays on the Big Island!

The Manta Ray's gills operate as a filtration system. Water goes into their mouth and is pumped out through the gill slits while the plankton is siphoned to the stomach.

After watching the Big Island Manta Rays we climbed back into the boat for some snacks and hot chocolate! Be sure to bring a sweatshirt and towel because it was quite chilly when we got back on the boat!

Back on the Hokuhele we talked with other passengers about our close encounters with the Manta Rays. We realized why Kona Manta Ray Night Dives are rated one of the top 10 dives in the world. The Travel Channel says Manta Ray Night Snorkel is one "of the top 10 things to do in your lifetime!" We had a blast with Sea Paradise and their friendly crew!

Be sure to check out Hawaii Discount for great discounts on Manta Ray Night Snorkeling in Kona.

Click here to catch up on all of the adventures of the Traveling Trio

Have you seen the Kona Majestic Manta Ballet? What did you think about it?

Hawaii Lei Greetings - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-11-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

The Traveling Trio flew on Hawaiian Airlines from Oahu to the Big Island. When we landed at the Kona Airport we were greeted with beautiful, fragrant flower lei greetings!

The Kona Airport is open air and beautiful. As soon as we walked through the gate we saw our Lei Greeter looking for us.

Check out our video of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio receiving gorgeous Hawaii Flower Leis.

Hawaii Discount offers Lei Greetings for the Honolulu Airport on Oahu, Kona Airport on the Big Island, Lihue Airport on Kauai, and Kahului Airport on Maui.

We loved starting out our Big Island Adventure with beautiful Hawaii Lei Greetings. After we retrieved our luggage we jumped in our Big Island Rental Car. We had a full schedule of Big Island Activities and we couldn't wait to get started! Stay tuned!

Have you received a Hawaii Lei Greeting? If so we would love for you to post a picture on our Hawaii Discount Facebook page!

If you missed an installment catch up on all of the adventures of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio including their Oahu Lei Greetings.

North Shore of Oahu - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-11-06T21:04:00.000-08:00

Hawaii Discount offers a variety of Hawaii Rental Cars at low prices. The Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio decided to rent a convertible and head to the North Shore of Oahu for the day!

We drove to the beautiful Turtle Bay Resort, a popular resort and Hawaii Film location. Hawaii Five-0, Magnum P.I., Cougar Town and Forgetting Sarah Marshall were filmed at Turtle Bay Resort.

Next we headed south towards Haleiwa. On our way we stopped at the world famous surfing beach Banzai Pipeline. It was September so we did not see huge waves. We did not want to brave the rough water so we relaxed on the pristine beach and watched the surfers.

The next stop was Ted's Bakery, a great place for breakfast or lunch and famous for their Chocolate Haupia Pie.

Another beautiful location was Waimea Bay. Waimea Bay boasts a gorgeous beach and is the location of the Eddie Aikau Surf Invitational.

The next stop was Shark's Cove. Shark's Cove is a reef where a large variety of marine life can be seen in their natural environment. This is a great location for snorkeling in the summer months when the seas are calm.

Haleiwa is a cute beach town with great shops and restaurants.

When we arrived in Haleiwa we went straight to the world famous Oahu shrimp trucks. We ate shrimp scampi at Giovanni's and it was absolutely delicious! If you like shrimp don't miss the Oahu shrimp trucks!

Half order of shrimp scampi and rice.

Although I could have filled up on shrimp we wanted to save room so we could try out Haleiwa Joe's. We had a great lunch and fantastic views.

The view from our table at Haleiwa Joe's.

As if we had not eaten enough we still made room for Matsumoto's Shave Ice!

We hopped back into the Hawaii Rental Car and kept heading south until we made it to Mokuleia Beach Park. The sky was dotted with colorful kites and we enjoyed watching the Oahu kite boarding.

We drove further down the beach to the location of the plane crash in Lost Season 1. From our previous posts Lost and Hawaii Movie Locations Tour Part 1 and Lost and Hawaii Movie Locations Tour Part 2 we are obviously big fans of Lost so we were thrilled to find this beach. This is our recreation of seeing Oceanic Flight 815 crash.

We kept driving and became giddy when we saw the bright yellow cabins of Camp Erdman, the Lost filming location for The Others camp. It is a YMCA camp and there were campers present but for a $5 fee you can take a self guided tour.“

After we explored The Lost Others camp we got back into the car and drove to the end of the road. The treat was this beautiful beach and stunning views.

Our day on the North Shore of Oahu was a success! We saw so much beauty that Oahu has to offer. I highly recommend grabbing a Hawaii Rental Car and exploring this scenic part of the island!

Have you been to Oahu's North Shore? What are your favorite locations?

Diamond Head Hike - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-11-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio knew a trip to Oahu must include the Diamond Head hike! We had seen the amazing landmark from our Waikiki surf lessons and couldn't wait to climb to the top.

Diamond Head is the world's most recognized volcanic crater. It was formed about 300,000 years ago during a single eruption. It is not made of lava flow but of ash and fine particles that settled and cemented together into a rock called tuff.

The 0.75 mile hike takes about 1.5-2 hours round-trip. The hike wasn't difficult but it does take you over several trails, up 74 stairs, through a tunnel and then up 99 steep stairs. At this point you are almost there but you have to continue through another small tunnel and up a spiral staircase inside a coastal artillery observation platform. The stairs are tough but the view is worth it!

Check out our video of the hike and then be sure to check out all of the Diamond Head Photos below!

Ancient Hawaiians named it Laeahi which meant "brow of the tuna." In the 1800s, the British sailors
named it Diamond Head because they thought the calcite crystals they saw glimmering in the sunlight were diamonds lodged in the crater.

The views were great throughout the hike - even when we first hit the trail!

We couldn't wait to get to the top to take in the Oahu views!

A great photo opportunity before we hit the first set of stairs!

Diamond Head was purchased in 1904 by the US Government for military purposes. We enjoyed seeing the bunkers and the Fire Control Station.

First set of stairs.

It was cool walking through this tunnel!

The toughest part of the hike!

Crawling out the observation portion of the Fire Control Station completed in 1910. We were greeted by amazing views!

The views are absolutely breathtaking!

Diamond Head Lighthouse was built in 1899 and can be seen 17 miles away.

Experience DiamondHead with some of the Oahu Land Tours offered by Hawaii Discount. Be sure to check out our brand new tour - The Farmers Market / Diamond Head Lookout tour that takes you to two popular Oahu locations.

Have you climbed Diamond Head? What did you think about the hike?

Mauna Kea Observatory - Big Island Hawaii

2011-10-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

The Mauna Kea Observatory is above 40% of the Earth's atmosphere providing a clear window to the wonders of the universe.

Hawaii Discount and Hawaii Forest and Trail offer amazing Mauna Kea Observatory Tours. Experience the sunset from 13,796 feet above sea level. Enjoy stargazing at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy at the 9,200 ft level. The Summit of Mauna Kea boasts the world's largest and most sophisticated telescopes.

Best Oahu Restaurants

2011-10-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

With so many Hawaii activities planned for one week The Traveling Trio did not have much time for fancy dinners but we did make time to eat at some of the best Oahu restaurants. We ate at Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Tiki’s Grill & Bar and Duke’s Waikiki.

A trip to Hawaii would not be complete without sushi and what better place than world famous Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar. The Sansei menu was filled with delicious options and it was hard to decide but we finally chose a variety of sushi rolls. I was intrigued by the option to add uzura (quail egg) to the sushi so the waiter suggested a sushi shot. Apprehensive would be an understatement but it was actually good and I would order it again! I can't remember all of the ingredients but it had eel on the bottom, the quail egg on top and some special spices and sauces. The sushi rolls at Sansei were unique and delicious.

Traveling Trio Hawaii Travel Tip - Sansei Sushi offers early bird and late night specials so be sure to check those out.

Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar

Tiki’s Bar and Grill has a great location at the Aston Waikiki Beach with great views of the ocean. We heard great reviews of Tiki's so we decided to check it out! We started out with Kalbi Beef Gyoza - crunchy dumplings filled with delicious beef tenderloin. Tiki's has a great lunch menu and it was
difficult to make a decision but I finally settled on the Fresh Island Fish Tacos. The tacos were delicious. We enjoyed the ocean view as we ate our lunch and reminisced about the Lost Tour and our Waikiki Surf Lessons. Tiki's also has an amazing dinner menu - we were hoping to return one night for drinks and dinner but we simply ran out of time. If you are going to be in Waikiki and looking for a great dinner or a place to have drinks with a beautiful ocean view I highly recommend Tiki's Bar and Grill.

Traveling Trio Hawaii Travel Tip: If you order Hawaii Activities from Hawaii Discount be sure to check your voucher for a coupon for a free appetizer at Tiki's Grill and Bar.

Tiki's Grill & Bar

A trip to Waikiki should include a stop at Duke’s! This restaurant is named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku who is known as the Father of International Surfing. He won 6 Olympic medals, was an actor, political figure and a true hero. He is remembered for his grace in the water, his sportsmanship and his good humor. Duke's is the perfect location to enjoy a cocktail and watch the stunning Waikiki sunset. We enjoyed a cocktail and then sat in the dining room for dinner. I had the Seafood Luau which included scallops, shrimp and fish - delicious! All entrees include Duke's famous salad bar which could be a meal in itself! I highly suggest a stop at Duke's even if it is just for one of their signature cocktails!

Traveling Trio Hawaii Travel Tip: Duke's is very popular - be sure to make a reservation!

Duke's Waikiki

There are so many wonderful Oahu Restaurants. What is your favorite place to eat on Oahu?

Kos Tours Hawaii Movie Locations and Lost Tours Part 2 - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-10-19T10:04:00.000-07:00

Previously on Lost:
(recap of Kos Tours Hawaii Movie Locations and Lost Tours Part 1)

One of the first things the Traveling Trio scheduled when planning their Hawaiian Vacation was The Lost Tour. I will admit I am still traumatized by the image of Charlie‘s hand with the words “Not Penny’s Boat” so this was an amazing tour for a Lost fan like me! We were excited to see various filming locations from the popular television series. After seeing Lost locations as described in Kos Tours Hawaii Movie Locations and Lost Tours Part 1 we were headed to Kualoa Ranch for the next part of the tour.

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000 acre working cattle ranch. Established in 1850 it is located in the Hawaiian countryside on the northeastern side of Oahu. Kualoa Ranch offers a variety of Oahu Activities such as Oahu Horseback Riding, Oahu ATV tours and Oahu Movie Tours.

As we entered the Kualoa Ranch we were greeted by the welcoming committee!

As we made our way through Kualoa Ranch we saw the remains of the Kualoa Sugar Mill. Next we saw the Tempest Dharma station from Lost Season 4.

One of my favorite Lost episodes is the one in Season 6 where we learn Richard's story. (Of course I
was waiting for them to solve the bigger mystery of whether or not he wears eyeliner). We saw the location they used for his house and we even got to go inside! This location was also used in Heat Stroke.

It was quite an adventure getting to the next Lost filming locations!

We made a stop at the place where Ana Lucia kills Goodwin in Lost Season 2. This is also the location where Ellie leads Daniel to Jug Head in Lost Season 5.

We did not spend the tour just sitting in the Hummer taking in the scenery. We were able to get out and really experience it. In fact we saw an old Dharma Van so we decided to help jump start it!

We saw the iconic location from Lost Season 1 where they heard the distress call and signals.

Unfortunately as we were concentrating and trying to decipher the French we looked up and saw the Smoke Monster! Luckily we made it back to the Kos Hummer in the nick of time!

We decided to continue the Kualoa Ranch tour and saw the Season 6 location where Jacob and the Man in Black break the bottle of wine.

As we drove by we immediately recognized the hydrogen bomb from Season 5.

We also took in breathtaking sight which was the location of the 1954 Military Camp in Season 5.

We got out of the Hummer again to take in this beautiful scenic point when we heard a loud roar!

A Polar Bear??? Yikes! Once again we barely escaped but we made it back to the Hummer safely.

We figured the best way to regroup after the Polar Bear encounter was with a round of golf!

Our friend Hurley was there to cheer us on!

We saw many Lost locations and saw how they used camera tricks. Two such locations are the bridge that breaks on Charlie and the roots Shannon and Boone dangerously climb to get reception for the transponder.

Although this tour concentrated on Lost locations we saw locations from various movies and television shows including Battleship, Jurassic Park, George of the Jungle, Godzilla, The Brady Bunch Movie, Byrd's of Paradise, Journey 2, Hawaii Five-0, Off the Map, Pearl Harbor, Windtalkers, You Me and Dupree, Mighty Joe Young and 50 First Dates!

Journey 2

Jurassic Park

Godzilla

Brady Bunch Movie

Before we left Kualoa Ranch we had the chance to go inside Cooper Battery. It was the Dharma station the Tempest and was once a World War II bunker. Now it is a museum for the movies that have been shot at Kualoa Ranch and the home of the submarine from Lost!

Submarine used in Lost

View in front of Cooper Battery/The Tempest

Kualoa Ranch is one of the most beautiful locations I have ever been too. Heather and I are both big Lost fans but even though D'jibia has not watched Lost she still had an amazing time at Kualoa Ranch. I highly recommend this 5 Hour Lost Tour for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Oahu.

KOS Tours Hawaii Movie Locations and Lost Tours Part 1 - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-10-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

When the Traveling Trio was choosing Hawaii Tours for their itinerary Kos Tours Lost Tours was at the top of the list. This is one of the Oahu tours that everyone raves about. We decided to check it out and see why the Lost Tour is one of the most popular Hawaii Activities.

We were picked up in a white Hummer at 7am for our 5 Hour Lost Tour. I thought it would be more appropriate if the tour was conducted in a blue Volkswagen Van but I later figured out why we needed a Hummer (see video at the bottom of the post). We took off and right away our guide started pointing out places of interest in Waikiki and giving us some history of the island. We headed out of town and saw our first location, Anthony Cooper’s house, seen in Lost Season 1.

We saw the location of Jacob's cabin. Of course it wasn't there - Ilana ordered it to be set on fire in "The Incident, Part 1." This is also the location where the smoke monster killed characters on two different occasions - Mr. Eko and the Pilot. Don't worry, we kept our eyes out for the smoke monster and
actually ran into it later in the tour (you will find out who from the Traveling Trio survived the smoke monster encounter in Part 2 of the Traveling Trio Lost Tour.)

The next stop was the Dominican Republic where Ben finds Sayid working for a charity organization and convinces him to come back to the Island.

As we drove to the next location we watched movie scenes from the locations we were about to visit!

At the next stop we saw locations from 50 First Dates, Godzilla and Lost. We saw Waikane Pier, Pala Ferry pier used by The Others in "Live Together Die Alone."

We also saw Chinaman’s Hat, Mokolii Island. Chinaman's Hat can be seen briefly when Michael and Walt leave the island in their boat.

The next stop, Kualoa Gardens, was the location for several television shows and movies. Off The Map (2011), Fantasy Island, the pre-wedding party from You, Me and Dupree, the African Village from Tears of the Sun, The Dominican Republic School from Lost Season 5, Nigerian Cantina where Eko kills 2 drug dealers, the Korean house where Sun visits Jin’s dad and scenes from Soul Surfer. The views were so beautiful we understood why so much filming takes place here.

We loved this amazing tree that was featured prominently in the Lost episode, "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham".

Next we saw the location of the Submarine Pier. Of course the submarine wasn't there but we did get to see it later in the tour.

We also saw the Lost Locations of the Korean Fishing Pier where Jin visits his dad and the Hydra Island Sub Pier where we saw Widmore's Sub in Lost Season 6.

We saw so many amazing locations and we were not even at the main course yet - Kualoa Ranch! Doesn't every Lost episode leave you hanging? Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Traveling Trio Lost Tour. In Part 2 of the Traveling Trio Lost Tour we will check out breathtaking Kualoa Ranch and find out why it is a popular film location for various movies and television shows!

Stay tuned for scenes from our next post Hawaii Movie Tours and Lost Locations Kualoa Ranch Part 2:

Matsumoto's Shave Ice - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-10-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

When you think of cool treats in Hawaii one thing that comes to mind is Shave Ice! (The other is a Mai Tai but that’s a completely different blog post). Located in Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu, Matsumoto’s has the reputation of being the best shave ice in Hawaii! It was up to The Traveling Trio to check it out and find out if its reputation of being the best is true.

When we arrived at Matsumoto's a line snaked out the door, so we figured it must be good. While we waited we made some of the toughest decisions of the week. What flavor? Add Vanilla Ice Cream? Add Azuki Beans? Decisions, Decisions! I finally settled on Grape, Cherry and Lilikoi (passion fruit). I figured to go all out and add the ice cream and azuki beans as well. Not as nerve racking as catching my first wave, dancing the hula on stage or even getting leid for the first time - but I was a bit apprehensive about having beans in my Hawaii shave ice.

The line moved fast and it was fun watching them make the tasty treats.

We sat on the bench in front of the store and dug into the colorful creations! It was delicious! The lilikoi was my favorite. The ice cream on the bottom was a nice touch. The azuki beans? I am glad I tried them but next time I think I will leave off the sweet and chewy beans.

M. Matsumoto Grocery Store opened in 1951 and in 1956 they added Shave Ice. Don’t even think about calling it a snow cone! The shave ice has a light texture that allows Matsumoto's homemade syrup to float through the ice. During summer months they make 1,000 shave ices a day!

The Traveling Trio all agreed Matsumoto's has the best shave ice this side of the North Pole. I can't wait to return to Matsumoto’s. I already know my next order – Lilikoi, Mango and Cotton Candy!

Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio Tip:

Invest in the 25 cent plastic shave ice holder. These treats can be messy especially on a hot day!

What is your favorite place for Hawaii Shave Ice?

Germaine's Luau - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-10-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

After our amazing surf lessons we were starving! Luckily we were scheduled to go to one of the best Oahu luaus that night – Germaine’s Luau.

A comfortable tour bus picked us up in front of our hotel. We were greeted by the lovely Cousin April. She was all business as she checked us in so we had no idea we were going to be laughing with her the entire way to the Hawaiian luau grounds. Once everyone was on the bus (Bus 9 aka "the Good Lookin Bus" for those of you who have been to Germaine’s) she welcomed everyone and the jokes began! We called her Cousin April because we were treated like Ohana which is a Hawaiian expression for family.

When we got off of the bus we were greeted with an authentic shell lei. The event began with the Royal Procession.

We had a few minutes to walk around and check out the lovely beachfront grounds and take in the beautiful sunset.

The bar was hopping! After we got a cold refreshment we made our way over to the Imu Ceremony.

The Imu Ceremony gave new meaning to the phrase "Pig Out!" We watched as the succulent roasting pig was raised from the underground oven.

Following the Imu Ceremony the band played some Hawaiian music while we were meeting and socializing with everyone our table (remember they were now Ohana). Then it was Buffet Time!

For those of us from the South barbeque is basically its own food group but I must confess that the Kalua Pig at Germaine’s Luau was one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten! Germaine’s offered a wonderful variety of food and it was delicious. We even ate poi! We were given the tip to eat the poi with a bite of lomi lomi salmon and it was actually good! Poi is a nutritious Hawaiian staple but many people from the mainland like to compare it to wallpaper paste. (Who knew so many people had tasted wallpaper paste?) Poi is not only nutritious but is a sacred part of Hawaiian life.

After dinner the dazzling show began.

One of my favorite things about Germaine’s Luau was the audience participation. They had several parts in the show where they invited audience members on stage to have fun and participate. They even invited the ladies up on stage to learn the hula. Heather and I got on stage and gave it our all. Despite the fact that I had trouble channeling my inner hula girl everyone had a blast showing off their new moves.

We sat back and enjoyed the Polynesian entertainment. Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Hawaii were all represented in the show.

We were captivated by the dancing and the bora bora drums. The hula dancing, the music and the costumes were magnificent. You could tell the dancers were truly enjoying the performance.

Toward the end of the show we were treated to an amazing fire dance that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

When the show was over everyone headed back to their bus but the fun didn’t end. Cousin April had us laughing the entire way home.

There are many choices when it comes to Oahu Luaus but Germaine’s Luau is top notch. We were treated like family, had a delicious meal, and not only watched but were able to participate in an amazing show. Be sure to make reservations for Germaine’s Luau when reserving your Oahu Activities with Hawaii Discount.

Want to read more from The Traveling Trio? Read about their Honolulu Airport Shuttle, Hawaii Surf Lesson, Hawaii Lei Greetings and Meet the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio.

Have you been to a Hawaiian Luau? What was your favorite part?

Honolulu Airport Shuttle - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-09-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

Thank you for making our Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio blog series a hit! We have gotten some great feedback and one of the questions was “After your lei greetings how did you get to your hotel?” Great question! We had excellent service with our reasonably priced Roundtrip Honolulu Airport Shuttle – Honolulu Airport Shuttle to Waikiki.

As soon as we stepped off of the plane we were greeted by a friendly representative from the Hawaii Airport Shuttle. She welcomed us to Honolulu and escorted us to baggage claim.

She stayed with us and helped us locate our bags. She really did have the Aloha spirit and I felt like I was with an old friend. As we waited for our bags she asked about our plans and told us about some things to do in Hawaii. She stayed with us the entire time and even loaded our bags onto the cart that were then taken to the shuttle for us.

The shuttle was a comfortable air conditioned mini coach. We did not have to wait for the shuttle to fill up. Everyone on our bus arrived at the same time and we all went to the same hotel. The driver was friendly and outgoing. He gave us the history and facts about the locations we passed on the way to the hotel. It was like a mini tour of Honolulu en route to the Waikiki hotel!

I can’t imagine taking any other mode of transportation from the airport to Waikiki Hotels or Kahala Hotels. The service provided was top notch. The Honolulu Airport Shuttle was a stress free way to begin a Hawaii Vacation. Don’t overpay on a taxi. Reserve the Honolulu Airport Shuttle and enjoy VIP treatment from the moment you step off of the plane.

Don't miss the other installments of the Traveling Trio! Check out Meet the Trio, Hawaiian Lei Greetings, and Hawaii Surf Lessons.

Hawaii Surf Lessons - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-09-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

Waikiki is world famous for its surfing so we decided to start off our Hawaii Activities with Hawaii Surf Lessons! We had never stepped foot on a surfboard so we were all a little nervous. We checked into Hans Hedemann Surf School 15 minutes prior to our lesson. When we got there they suited us up with rash guards and shoes. Hans Hedemann Surf School guaranteed that we would get up and riding waves during the surf lesson but I was a bit pessimistic. I couldn’t wait to see how they were going to pull this off.

The first part of the lesson was in the Waikiki surf shop. We were shown how to paddle and how to turn. Next we were shown how to stand up and ride the wave. Each person was given a turn to show the instructors that they were ready to get into the ocean. When my turn approached he asked me to show him how to paddle to the left – I started paddling – then he said “ok now your other left”. Yikes, after my in-shop performance I wondered if they were getting nervous about their guarantee.

We grabbed our boards and headed to the beach. We paddled out ready to conquer the waves. Or have the waves conquer us. I wasn’t quite sure what would happen at this point.

We divided ourselves up into groups. Each Hans Hedemann instructor had about 3 students that they coached and helped stand up and ride the waves. The instructors told us when to paddle, they gave us a push and then shouted for us to stand up.

The score after Round One was The Waikiki Waves 3, The Traveling Trio 0

The instructors at Hans Hedemann Surf School were very patient and determined to get us up and surfing. They gave great feedback after each attempt so we would know what we were doing wrong. I would paddle to catch the wave, attempt to stand, fall, paddle back to the instructor and repeat. The fear was gone and replaced with determination.

It took several attempts but finally it clicked! All three of us were up and riding the waves in! It was quite a thrill and we were filled with excitement as we paddled back to catch another wave! The instructors remained with us the entire lesson to assist us.

At the end of the 2 hour lesson we were tired but excited about our new surfing skills. All 3 of us decided we loved it so much that we would figure out how to fit Hawaii surfing into our schedule again before we returned to the mainland! I never thought I would be a surfer but it was so exhilarating I couldn't wait to do it again!

A few days later we decided to hit the famous North Shore Surfing Beaches: Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. At the North Shore we were only spectators but who knows maybe one day we will be in the Eddie Aikau Surf Invitational. If so, we can thank Hans Hedemann Surf School for laying a great foundation and teaching us the basics of Surfing in Hawaii.

Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio’s Travel Tips

If you are a beginner surf lessons are a must!
Check in 15-30 minutes prior to your lesson to get fitted for rash guards and shoes.
Wear sunscreen!
Pay close attention to your instructor’s safety tips. Hans Hedemann Surf School takes safety seriously and they do not want any of their students getting injured.
Reserve Hawaii Surf Lessons for the beginning of your Hawaii Vacation. If you are like us you are going to want to surf again while in Hawaii!
Leave your jewelry at home and any other valuables in the shop. You will spend the entire lesson in the ocean and do not want to leave any valuables on Waikiki Beach.

For more information check out Hawaii Surf Lessons from Hawaii Discount. Hans Hedmann Surf School offers Waikiki Group Lessons, North Shore Group Lessons, Private Surfing Lessons, Oahu Surfing North Shore Tour, and even Surfing with Hans Hedemann.

The Traveling Trio did in fact surf again. We braved bigger waves on the Big Island. Click here to read about Surfing in Kona.

Want to read more from The Traveling Trio? Read about their Hawaii Lei Greetings and click here to read all about their Hawaii Activities.

Have you taken surf lessons in Hawaii? How did it go?

Hawaiian Lei Greetings - Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio

2011-09-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

The flight from Atlanta to Honolulu was long but enjoyable. I started it off the right way with a Mai Tai. After 2 movies, 2 meals, a little reading and about 9 nine hours later we finally arrived in Honolulu.

As soon as we stepped off of the plane in Honolulu we were greeted with gorgeous Hawaii flower lei greetings! The Hawaii flowers were not only beautiful but they were extremely fragrant. Lei Greetings can be made with Orchids, Plumeria, Tuberose or a combination of these tropical flowers. You can order a variety of Hawaii Lei Greetings including Standard Leis, Superior Leis, Deluxe Leis, Ti Leaf Leis, Tuberose Leis, Cigar Leis, Kukui Nut Leis and even Candy Leis!

That night at the Hawaii Five-0 Premiere it was fun to see the stars wear Hawaiian Leis too!

Danie Dae Kim star of Hawaii Five-0

Leis were introduced to Hawaii by voyagers from Tahiti. Hawaii Flower Leis were worn by early Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others. The lei quickly became the symbol of Hawaii to millions of visitors worldwide.

In early 1900s lei vendors lined the pier at Aloha Tower to welcome visitors and kama'aina (locals). Departing visitors threw their Hawaiian leis into the sea as their ship passed Diamond Head hoping that like the leis, they would return to the islands some day.

Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio Tip: To keep your Hawaiian Flower leis fresh keep them in a refrigerator.

Our bags arrived and we are ready for the fun to begin! The Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio is ready to hit Honolulu!

Stay tuned! You are not going to want to miss the next installment! Absolute beginner surfers take on Waikiki Beach. Who do you think conquered the waves? Here is a sneak peek:

Hawaii Discount offers Kona Airport Lei Greetings on The Big Island, Lihue Airport Lei Greetings on Kauai, Kahului Airport Lei Greetings on Maui and Honolulu Airport Lei Greetings on Oahu. Be sure to reserve Hawaiian Lei Greetings for your Hawaiian Vacations! It is the best way to start a Hawaii Holiday!

Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio - Meet the Trio

2011-09-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

The Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio spent one week split between Oahu and The Big Island with an itinerary filled with the best Hawaii Activities. Over the next few weeks we will be blogging about our adventures! This week I wanted to introduce you to the trio!

Hawaii Discount Traveling Trio

Elizabeth

Yours truly is the web strategist for Hawaii Discount. I am in charge of the Hawaii Discount Facebook page, Hawaii Discount Twitter, Hawaii Discount YouTube Account and the Hawaii Discount Google+ Account. After listening to customer feedback and comments on the social media sites I scheduled the most popular Hawaii Activities for us to experience during the week. It was quite a schedule with only one week and over 10 Hawaii Activities but it was a fun way to experience the best Hawaii has to offer.

Heather

Flying in from Atlanta Georgia Heather brought a great perspective and level of excitement. This was her first trip to Hawaii and she is already scheduling her next trip! Heather was the source of fantastic one liners: As we got into the Hummer for the 5 Hour Lost Tour Heather nonchalantly mentioned to our guide “I hope we don’t get lost.” On the Captain Zodiac Big Island snorkeling tour as we sat and watched a pilot whale swim next to the raft she told us she is “having a whale of a time!” She was also my source of calm as I conquered my fear of heights on the Big Island Zipline Tour.

D'jibia

D’jibia is also from Atlanta, Georgia and it was her first trip to Hawaii as well. D’jibia’s bubbly personality was infectious and she never met a stranger the entire week! She brought the tour participants together and especially united everyone on the Manta Ray Night Snorkel. D’jibia also brought her driving skills for our Hawaii Car Rentals and drove us all over the islands from Waikiki Beach to the North Shore to Pearl Harbor and even across the Big Island.

We will be highlighting a different Hawaii Activity each week so be sure to check the Hawaii Discount Blog often for the latest adventures of the Hawaii Tours Traveling Trio.

Kilauea Volcano Flow from Big Island Helicopter Tours

2011-09-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

Today Hawaii Discount flew with Sunshine Helicopters over Kilauea Volcano to see the current lava flow from Pu'u O'o Vent. The view was absolutely breathtaking as we circled the lava flow for a bird's eve view of this amazing display from mother nature.

Big Island Helicopter Tours are currently the only way to view lava flow. Don't miss out on this memorable experience!

Hawaii Five-0 Season Two Premiere in Waikiki

2011-09-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Last night was the world premiere of Hawaii Five-0 season two! Thousands came out to see the show and the stars on Queens Beach in Waikiki!

The beach was packed with Hawaii Five-0 Fans from all over the world. Some had been there since 6am hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars.

The evening started with the traditional blowing of the conch and dancing.

Soon the stars started to arrive. Hawaii Discount had a front row view of the red carpet as Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park, Terry O’Quinn and others walked the red carpet

Scott Caan who plays Sgt. Daniel "Danny" "Danno" Williams

Daniel Dae Kim who plays Detective Chin Ho Kelly

Terry O’Quinn will be playing a Navy Lt. Commander and Vietnam Veteran who trained Lt. McGarrett.

Terry O'Quinn, who is one of my favorite actors from his days as Locke from Lost, was charming and even came over and gave Hawaii Discount an autograph! I wonder if he is interested in joining us on the 5 Hour Lost tour tomorrow?

Mark Dacasos spent a long time shaking hands with the crowd. He is known from Iron Chef America and Dancing With The Stars but is now reprising the role of Steve McGarrett's arch-nemesis Wo Fat.

The crowd went wild when Alex O’Loughlin took to the red carpet!

You will be blown away by this episode of Hawaii Five-0. Be sure to catch it next Monday on CBS!

We will be posting more pictures from the Hawaii Five-0 season two premiere on our Hawaii Discount facebook page. Be sure to check them out!

Hawaiian Islands Listed as Best Adventure Vacations

2011-08-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

US News and World Report recently came out with a list of “16 Best Adventure Vacations in the USA.” Three Hawaiian Islands made the top 10. The Big Island came in at #7, Maui was ranked #4 and Kauai was #3!

Big Island

US News and World Report pointed out that the Big Island is “home to black volcanic deserts, tumbling waterfalls, lush rainforests and five volcanoes (one of which is still active). Visitors can snorkel, boogie board and kayak of the island's coast or hike through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.” The Big Island has something for everyone. You can snorkel and snowboard on the Big Island on the same day! Be sure to check out
Kilauea Volcano and Hawaii Volcano Tours to witness an active volcano!

Maui

The traits that helped Maui place at #4 include the “plethora of heart-pounding options from sea kayaking to mule riding. If you're really hoping to get your blood pumping, tour a hidden lava tube deep below the island's surface or spend the night in Haleakala’s volcanic crater after a long day hiking. But this is just the beginning; head to Maui's northeast coast for a look at roaring waterfalls, belching blowholes and steep jagged peaks.” Maui is a feast for your eyes. From Haleakala, the world’s largest dormant volcano, to the breathtaking Road to Hana taking in the sights are an adventure in itself. Bike down the volcano, take a dip in the waterfalls and pools, you can even experience the scenery on Maui ATV Tours!

Kauai
Photo By J. Clayton Photography

Coming in at #3 is Kauai, the Garden Isle. US News and World Report describes Kauai as “one of the world's most spectacular islands for adventure-seekers. Featuring acres of misty rainforests, plummeting waterfalls and jagged cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the natural wonders are enough to excite even the most jaded visitor. Miles of cliff-side trails call to intrepid travelers, while seemingly endless strips of shoreline welcome surfers looking to ride the perfect wave.” Kauai Helicopter Tours are one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the island. You can snorkel along the NaPali Coast, take a surf lesson or even try the new craze, Stand Up Paddling. Kayaking and Hiking are additional ways to experience this amazing island. Be sure to check out Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

We are proud of Kauai, Maui and the Big Island for being recognized as the Best Adventure locations. The complete list of US News and World Report Best Adventure Locations is:

1. Yellowstone

2. Yosemite 

3. Kauai 

4. Maui

 5. Puerto Rico 

6. Grand Canyon 

7. Hawaii, the Big Island

8. Outer Banks 

9. Portland, OR 

10. US Virgin Islands 

11. Key West

 12. San Francisco

 13. San Diego 

14. Seattle 

15. South Padre Island 

16. Miami Beach

Island Breeze Luau - Big Island Luaus

2011-08-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Due to damage from the March 11 tsumani the Island Breeze Luau had to change locations but as of Sunday August 7 Island Breeze luau is happy to be back at the renovated King Kamehameha Luau grounds!

The Island Breeze Luau at the King Kamehameha Hotel is a fun luau for everyone in the family! Enjoy a delicious buffet with favorites such as Kalua Pua'a, Lau Lua, Kona Broil, Chicken Long Rice, Catch of the Day Tropicale, and of course Poi! Enjoy an open bar! Be amazed by the luau production that includes the dangerous and fascinating Samoan Fireknife dance.

Island Breeze Luau has performed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia as well as before many dignitaries, and leaders in many regions of the world; Africa, Asia, Australia, America, Oceania and Europe. This Island Breeze luau production has shared the beauty and richness
of the cultural heritage of the Pacific all over the world. Island Breeze preserves the heritage of the cultural arts and is dedicated to presenting the expressions of each group in Polynesia. Island Breeze shares with the world, the understanding that as Creator, God is the author of culture, and values it's diversity. Island Breeze not only entertains but imparts knowledge, teaches and shares unique values and principles with the audience.

Be sure to ask about the Hanohano Seating Option for preferred seating at the front of the stage, front for all pre luau activities and first in the buffet line!

If you are looking for Big Island Luaus be sure to check out Island Breeze Luau! Whether you are looking for Maui Luaus, Oahu Luaus, Big Island Luaus or Kauai Luaus - Hawaii Discount offers the best luaus in Hawaii!

Best Places to Eat on Kauai

2011-08-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

We asked our amazing Hawaii Discount Facebook Fans to tell us about the best places to eat on Kauai. Here are some of the responses:

Joe's on the Green at Poipu. Great Food, Great View, Great Drinks, Great wait staff! Try it! Prices better than most. -L. Wade
Duke's in Lihue, close to the airport. Beautiful view and good food also known as Kauai's Little Waikiki. -M. Young
The Beach House in Koloa and Roy's in Poipu for dinner and the Wake Up Cafe in Hanalei for breakfast. -A. Piper
Kalypso in Hanalei and Bubba's Burgers in Hanalei -R. Thompson
Bar Acuda in Hanalei and Keioki's Paradise in Poipu for Pau Hana. Best coffee in your life at Java Kai. -C. Walker
Kalypso in Hanalei and The Postcard Cafe in Hanalei -J. Rainville
Duke's is great, Pizzetta's in Old Town Koloa has the best pizza (and I'm not a big pizza fan), and the Mermaid Cafe in Kapaa is really yummy too! -K. Flemmer
Bubba's Burgers, Keoki's in Poipu, Lappert's Ice Cream but best of all is Da Imu Hut in Hanapepe! 4 words: Deep Fried Chicken Teriyaki! -D.Fenston
Scotty's! Best BBQ EVER! -A. Berry
Kintaro and Hukilau Lanai at Kapaa -M. Anciado-Magno

If you are planning a Kauai Vacation be sure to check out our post on the Best Kauai Activities!

Have you been to Kauai? What was your favorite place to eat?